New charges filed against 75-year-old Lawrence man in sex crime case

Douglas County prosecutors have filed new charges against a 75-year-old Lawrence man facing trial on charges of sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl, alleging that he also possessed sexually explicit images of the child.

The man was arrested Aug. 30 and police believe the abuse occurred between August 2011 and August 2012 at a residence in East Lawrence, according to court documents and police. The girl is now 6.

In January, the man pleaded not guilty in Douglas County District Court to two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. He now also faces two counts of sexual exploitation of a child. Prosecutors say he had sexually explicit materials depicting the victim. He pleaded not guilty to those charges Tuesday. The man is free on a $75,000 bond.

The indecent liberties charges each carry a sentence of 25 years to life, and the new charges can carry sentences ranging from probation to more than 11 years in prison, depending on a person's criminal history. Trial is set for Sept. 30.

The Journal-World generally does not identify sex crime suspects unless they are convicted.